places & travels

All posts in the places & travels category

If you’re going to jump out of a plane you might as well pick somewhere beautiful… like Hawaii!

I’ve made a reservation through online a week before going there. I even booked a shuttle service since the location is on the North Shore of Oahu quite far from where I am staying and nobody can drop me off there because of the fact that nobody knows I was going there till they saw the photos! Haha!

I barely slept that night thinking I was going to jump out of a perfectly nice aircraft at 14,000 feet!

Precisely at that moment I realized there is no backing out! It was an indescribable feeling!

Falling at approximately 130mph towards the aqua marine blue sea, and the wind is rushing through your ears quite loudly as you try to grasp the magnitude of everything around you, it was surreal. I was trying to keep my eyes open the entire time because the view was beyond the word amazing.

The whole thing lasted about 12-15 wonderful minutes. It was absolutely spectacular. So spectacular, that makes me wanted to do it again!

The things you’ve always wanted to do? go ahead do them! It will be an unforgettable experience for you too.

I know I haven’t’ been posting about my travels for more than a year now and many has been questioning me already – but Yes! I’m still a Flight Attendant. I still do travel. I’ve been to Cairo-Egypt, Copenhagen-Denmark and Verona-Italy this year and a lot more. It would be the same reason why I haven’t posted anything lately. It’s either I’m busy with photo shoots, gym, too lazy or no time because I always go home to Manila during my long day offs to see the development of the renovation of my Condo unit.

For many, a desire to explore the world is hard to ignore, but for me I’ve always have a desire to see the place whenever I saw it in movies, series or even history book or travel channels. I love places with so much stories. It fascinates me. It makes me want to be in that place wherever it is. Thank God for this flying career that sends me to almost any destination I want.The canals and architecture of Venice make it especially cinematic that made it one of the favorite location for movies like The Tourist- stars Angelina and Johnny Depp in a romantic thriller that takes place almost entirely in Venice. It’s a beautiful look at the city of Venice so worth watching for the scenery and who can’t forget about Venice’s role in Indiana Jones third installment? Venice is one of several locations featured in the explorer’s quest for the Holy Grail.

Connecting the districts of San Polo and San Marco across the Grand Canal in the heart of the city, the Rialto Bridge has always been busy crossing in Venice.

The crowd there will convince you that you are at the most famous square of Venice. It is the largest square in Venice and you will see people sitting and enjoying their wine, artists drawing portraits, and notorious pigeons flocking around the tourists. The impressive St. Mark Basilica is a must-see.Get down at Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge to cross the Grand Canal. There are a variety of restaurants here. Have your Lunch and wander about lazily on the streets of Venice. Cross the tiny bridges and have a peek at the real Venice, You will feel that the city seems to exist for tourists alone and most of these houses are either hotels or empty.

Location Shoot in Zekreet, Photo by: Parc Cruz
The Film City Zekreet are famous film setting of the movie Transformer and setting of some of the Arabic movies and television shows.

A lot of people want to be a model because it’s glamorous, lucrative, have lots of perks and you might want to be recognized in the modeling world. Modeling is extremely competitive, and the industry is filled with rejection, but successful models are doing something that they love. Here are some major truths about becoming a model, as well as some realistic advice to make it happen for you (Excerpt from Marie Claire)

(Photos are from my instagram account: @StarVillanueva)

Decide what kind of model you hope to be. Technically, anybody can be a model. However, do remember that if you don’t meet certain requirements, the work available to you will be incredibly limited, and you may have to compensate in other departments.

It’s one of the “Shoot for a cause”-fundraising event that I participated,
been published on some Qatar Newspapers

A Print Model: This is my chosen field it just need a beautiful face with great personality and height is not really necessary plus you’ll have a bunch of newspaper, magazines and tarpaulin as a souvenir of your exposure.

My 4th Photo shoot for the month of March 2013
Photo By: Ryan Bulaon

An Underwear Model: For women, this requires large breasts but small hips.
Other Types of Modeling: If you don’t fit any of the face or body descriptions, perhaps you can be a foot, hair, or hand model or in case you are not skinny don’t lose hope because there’s also A Plus Size Model: If your body is full and curvaceous, you may be able to be a plus size model.

Photo By: Clarence Pacis

Educate yourself. There is a lot you can learn from reading books and articles on modeling. Reading quality guides, articles, and books will both help you to improve important skills (like posing) and to better understand how the industry works.

Realize that it’s tough. The modeling world is jam-packed with pretty faces. Just because you are good looking does not mean that you can succeed as a model. In the modeling business, it is not just about looking great. You have to fit the need of specific jobs just in order to get a chance. Modeling is only for serious people who carry unique looks and characteristics. Since there are so many people trying to become models in today’s world, it’s very challenging to get a breakthrough and will only come with patience and perseverance.

I have been postponing for ages to write the good news. Maybe because until now, I’m ecstatic and overwhelm with all the blessings that keep coming. I’m now an image model/endorser of Bunny Jeans or better known as BNY. I’ll be modeling their clothes in Philippines and in Middle East. My first photoshoot using BNY clothes was held in Doha, Qatar. I love all the clothes, it’s so comfortable & classy. I’ve already attended one of their events and then they introduce me in the stage as one of their endorsers. The feeling was so surreal, I’m so glad. Thanks to “Doha Trensetters” – The Company that imports brands such as Hammerhead, Dickies & BNY in Doha. They have a showroom in Montazah st. in front of Montazah Health Center. So readers from Doha, please visit their shop! They have variety of wardrobe collections from jackets to pants, shirts, polo and dresses.

I’m so excited to see myself on another magazine, but this time I’m in the cover. Honestly, I haven’t seen the layout yet but they said it’s now for printing and might be published next week. It is really something!

Ok, too much of being in the modeling side, here comes the other side of me. I’m so proud to announced that I now have a regular weekly column at Philippine Star Today (Pilipino Star Ngayon) my articles will be about beauty, fitness & health and yet another feature at Health Today Magazine is also coming out. I really consider it a milestone in my life that I will treasure and forever will be proud of.

I grew up reading health, beauty and fitness magazines and newspapers and here I am now. Having my own column in a real and well-circulated newspaper. God is so good. He will always give more than I asked for. I’ll be forever thankful.

So anyway, I shall finally post the pictures I got off the net for the BNY Catalogue and from my Intagram account at #StarVillanueva

I had shot this more than a week ago during the peak of summer season, Yes! still having photo shoot under the heat! So imagine the humid and I was wearing BNY checkered collection polo shirt but still looking so comfy! Good thing I shot some of it in a covered area, at least there wasn’t any direct sunlight all the time so no need to retouch my makeup often, since I’m doing my own makeup, it’s not that I don’t trust makeup artists but I just personally preferred to apply it on my own. I personally think that I did a job well done! Cheers!

I got featured again at Health Today Magazine October 2011 Edition, before my photo was just was just ¾ or ½ page of the magazine, but this time I’ve got the whole page! Yey! This is what I am waiting for! Thanks you Ms. Ingrid Cabrido for this opportunity and Mr. Leo Bautista for the photo!

For others maybe Photoshoot could be tiring, not for me because I’m used to wearing makeup and high heels, and of course, I love my pictures being taken by professionals! Modeling or posing in front of camera is one of my life’s joy… I don’t consider it as a career though – it’s just something I enjoyed doing. As what I’m saying since then, as long as I’m happy with what I’m doing I don’t care if there’s no fee involve. I’m just after the experience, exposure and addition to my picture collection and personal portfolio.

Here I am, gracing the pages of Health Today Magazine October 2011 Edition for the 3rd time!

Available to all leading newstands, bookstore, and supermarket! Grab a copy now! God Bless you all, Thanks!

Mention the name Verona and you immediately associate it with romance and the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet immortalized in Shakespeare’s works. Now with the release of the movie “Letters to Juliet” The movie,was intriguing recently because it dealt so closely with the romance and intrigue of one of Italy’s most beloved icons, Romeo and Juliet was written by Shakespeare set in Verona.

The house is claimed to be that of the Capulets’ from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, which is now a big tourist attraction featuring the balcony, small courtyard and also a bronze statue of Juliet. Casa di Giulietta, or Juliet’s House, is located in the center of Verona at via Cappello 23,. Follow the directions to Piazza del Erbe and once you see the graffiti covered sign post and the plaque above the archway, you will recognise it by the number of people inside the courtyard.

Pass through the short dark tunnel, and you’ll find yourself in the intimate courtyard & Juliet’s Balcony vying for a photo opportunity with fellow awe-struck visitors.

The dark tunnel through which you entered houses a collection of love letter on its walls, left for the secretaries of Juliet to answer.For just €6, you can visit the interior of the house to see the bed from the 1936 Zeffirelli’s movie Romeo and Juliet

Young ladies write letters to Juliet, often asking for advice in love, and tuck them into the wall. At night, the letters removed and the next day brings another collection of notes and letters. In the movie, it is a group of women who answer each one. In real life, it is a group of volunteers in Verona who make it a point to answer the 5,000 letters that arrive for Juliet each year.

Some of the letters are left in the wall each evening, and others are mailed to Juliet in care of Verona. The group that answers the letters call themselves the Club di Giulietta. These fifteen or so volunteers are divided by languages spoken and romantic expertise.

There is a bronze statue of Juliet located in the courtyard. Legend states that those who stroke the right breast of this statue will have good luck. Many people believe it, and travel long distances to visit.

Juliet’s Tomb – It’s inside the monastery which has been indicated as the place where the final events of the tragedy took place. Lovers from all over the world come to visit this romantic hideout and remember Shakespeare’s great masterpiece.

* Photo of myself with the view of Manhattan Sky Scrapers while inside a ferry tour

Manhattan is a picture-perfect city, with modern movie sceneries (yes, NYC is possibly the most filmed city ever). Who can ever forget classic movies such as Maid in Manhattan & Serendipity both filmed in Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Maid of Honor & Autumn in New York’s Bethesdan Fountain in Central Park, SATC-Day After Tomorrow-Spider Man’s New York Library, Kingkong’s Empire Estate… among others…You can visit most of these must-see tourist sites for free.

Once you’ve taken the bus tour, it’s time to try the two other popular modes of transportation – the subway and taxis. The MTA New York City Subway is certainly the fastest and cheapest way to go around New York City. One trip costs $3 Get the Fun Pass for unlimited rides for the day for only $8 Of course, a trip to the Big Apple wouldn’t be complete without taking one of the city’s 10,000 yellow cabs.

The other must-eat in New York is steak. There are plenty of high-end steak houses in NYC like TGI-Fridays, Hard Rock and Bubba Gump but if you just want really cheap but really good snack while walking, try Sabrett Hotdogs! It’s all over Manhattan and all kinds of people are buying those! Tourist or not, Ladies in all races, Gents on a necktie or Tshirt, young or old, named it. I even have the guts to encouraged the crew with me on a layover to try it too! And Guess What!? Sabrett is now available in Philippines!

New York is also the mecca for shoppers. For high-end and fashion-forward shops, simply walk the entire length of Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Soho. Visit “destination” stores just because their famous or are attractions by themselves such as huge department stores including Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, World’s Largest Macy’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.For Youngsters, go to Nintendo World or M&M’s World to see the Word’s biggest Wall of Chocolates!

* You may Shop with your Trolley bag if you’re tired of carrying loads of baggage or shop with your Freezing gear outfit, there’s no excuse not to go for shopping in New York! None!

…and last but not the least, if you’re too tired with the buzzing city why not try to hibernate in the Greeneries of Central Park, bring your iPod, favorite book or pair of sneakers and Viola time will just pass without you noticing it, did that already and it’s truly relaxing! I blogged aboutCentral Park Before: Read it at: https://starvillanueva.com/2009/06/28/central-park-new-york-usa/